FITNESS: The Rickson Gracie Workout

Damn, im motivated and inspired!

Go All In and Just Do It.

EVENT: True Fitness MegaCombat 2012

(Coverage by Farah E.)

19 May 2012 - About 600 people turned up at the Fountain of Wealth for the biggest BodyCombat event in Singapore. Organised by True Fitness, it is a yearly event that sees an overwhelming response. This would be my first year attending and was I so glad I had the opportunity to.

LesMill’s BodyCombat is an intense, high impact cardio workout. Be prepared to burn calories as one experiences a fusion of martial arts ranging from karate, boxing, taekwando, tai chi and muay thai. Putting one’s strength, speed and coordination to test, I’d say it takes a certain fitness level to really benefit from the programme.

I remember my first BodyCombat class (a year ago); I had aches in parts of my body I didn’t know existed. But I never looked back since, and while BodyCombat has its many benefits, my favourite would be toning and shaping of key muscle groups. I guess they don’t call Denise Keller “Queen of BodyCombat” for nothing – love her toned and lean arms!

Gracing the event were Beam Artistes Tara Rushton, Paul Foster, May and Choy
and it would be incomplete without a short speech from the charming CEO Mr Patrick Wee himself. There was great energy in the atmosphere and it was fueled by the zing and spirit of the True Fitness BodyCombat instructors leading the crowd. If the weather was hot, we were definitely hotter!

Nothing to make my weekend better than a fantastic workout and be “rewarded”
with a goodie bag. I love free stuff; who doesn’t, and all this for free if you are a True Fitness member. No reason for you not to consider signing up, get fit the True way by joining their BodyCombat classes and be in the loop for more exciting events.

See you at Mega Combat 2013!

Mixed Martial Arts: Choosing The Right Trainers

People have been asking me why I delve into the realm of martial arts and all these fighting disciplines like Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Thing about me is that i had always been fascinated and WOW-ed by a fighter’s physique. Well, just take a look at Bruce Lee or Mitch Chilson – simply ripped and is epitome of fit.

Bruce Lee and Mitch Chilson

Going for martial arts classes or picking up such sports DOES NOT make you a badass punk nor turn you into a Hulk when you’re mad. Doing martial arts is certainly very different from what many might think. The purpose and benefits of training in a martial arts discipline outweighs its unsavory image of blood, gore and more blood. Believe it or not, learning martial arts kinda sets you in a calm state of mind and a feel good endorphin rush as you complete it.

Personally, I have been training at Evolve MMA Academy, learning Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there. I have rubbed shoulders with one of the great trainers there who’ll be taking part in the upcoming ONE FC – a mixed martial arts event staged right here in Singapore! Eddie “The Magician” Ng- this guy trained me in his FIGHT SHAPE class and it was AWESOME.

Eddie “The Magician” Ng

Coming out of his 1 hour class would often see me all perspiring and smiling to myself because i survived his High Intensity Training (HIT) Fight Shape class. Well, along with 10+ other students ranging from 13-year old kids to working women that is.

That being said, i think its important to get a solid, down to earth and great trainer when it comes to picking up martial arts as a sport. I believe there are 3 main things to look out for when choosing or training with a martial arts trainer: CHEMISTRY, EXPERIENCE & FUN.

1) CHEMISTRY

Just like in any relationship, chemistry is essential between a student-trainer too. You know, sometimes there are some of these trainers who come across as arrogant and in it for the money. You can tell (or sometimes SMELL) by the way the trainers interact with the students (or even you) as they impart their skills during the training sessions. If you ever come across such people, you know that is a sign to say Bye Bye. I’m sure you can do better with a trainer who makes you feel at home even though you know that he is probably gonna “kill you” during that session.

Find trainers who inspire you with more than just certificates, accolades or physique. Get the ones who is driven to change YOU and inspire YOU on a whole different level.

2) EXPERIENCE

Experience counts. Its important to have trainers who KNOW and UNDERSTAND their discipline VERY well. There is a clear line between an experienced martial artists and one who is not. Trainers who have never fought in their entire career can never be deemed as experienced to me, because seriously, that’s how it rolls isn’t it? Someone who has been through a fight or competition (win, lose or draw) has much more knowledge in imparting training methods to you than someone who is merely a textbook “fighter”.

3) FUN

Lastly, as i always emphasize in any sports which i pick up, it is important to enjoy your training. No point going through it, feeling bruised and battered but you don’t feel fun. Mentally, you would not want to go for it again and that would be the start of you not coming back for training. True story.

Till next time, Guten Tag and train hard! 

Choose the right trainers

The Skinny Of My Active Sporting Lifestyle.

Start of the 2nd month in 2012, i thought i’ll share with the newer readers: WHY I TRAIN. An old post, but nonetheless, still GOLD. And looking back at it, motivates & inspires me to work harder.

Contrary to its name, this blog has grown from merely a running blog to something which covers a wider range of sports and fitness and also health. Inspiring the uninspired to run, bike, swim and train etc. This post goes out to all those skinny guys and ANYONE who AIMS to achieve something better this year.

To be fitter, faster, stronger, better.

~

Family members, relatives and friends used to ask/tell me all sorts of questions like “Why you train so hard?”, “Concentrate on your education and not your gym/running stuff.”, “Some people people so fit also die early.” and blah blah blah. Well, this post is gonna be pretty much about me and my journey to reach my goal of achieving a the physique and fitness of a Roman God Bod.

I must say that i’ve not reached there YET. Hahaha. Slowly but surely yeah? This posts goes out especially to all the people out there who is like me, skinny and weak, and seek to have a better bod and fitness level. I feel you bro.

Anyways, I had always wanted to share my love of fitness and also my interest in weights training to achieve that physique that one can only dream of. You know, kinda like those Men’s Health front cover models. ;P I personally started gyming and understanding the different forms of exercises for different muscle groups when i was 17. Yes, i do remember it clearly because that was one of those moments in your life which you realise that your decision had made a great impact to your future self. Its like a decision to get married or to have a kid. THAT extreme? YES it is!

First and foremost, i, like many other self-claimed skinny guys out there is what scientist classify as ECTOMORPH. Also known as a “hard gainer” for our inability to gain as much weight even though we might eat the same amount as those we claim as “fat people”. We have high metabolism thus we burn more calories faster than what we take in. And guess what? Brad Pitt is an ECTOMORPH too! Yay! Got “spiritual” connection liao. Somehow, i feel like Tyler Durden (from FIGHT CLUB) and Achilles (from Troy) now.

I tried. Very hard to gain weight.

Yes, i did almost a lot of things to try and gain as much weight, but to no effect. Chin up regime when i was ard 6-7 years old didnt help much nor did eating a whole tray of rice, chicken and what nots when i was in secondary school. Okay, i was kidding about the former. Hahaha!

Basically, i was a thin and fragile kid back in my secondary school days. My weight was always fluctuating between 45-50kg AND FOR A GUY, that is kinda light. It didnt help that i was a hyperactive kid and participated in outdoor activities as well as sports. (i was a Scout Trooper from 1997-2005 & i played touch rugby from 1997-1999) As much as i tried to eat, my stomach just couldnt take in much calories and i get full very easily. *sigh sigh sigh*

2001. Scouting moments

Well anyways, i remember it as clearly as it was yesterday when back then in 2005, a female friend of mine exclaimed to me that i had a weight of a girl as we were taking our Height & Weight during our P.E lesson. There i was already having a hard time to gain weight and such, and there she was popping my confidence-balloons. Although the comments deflated me emotionally, i CHOSE to think rationally and logically and decided IT IS TIME for me to do something.

I couldnt help to see a skinny dude looking back at me whenever i look into the mirror. Could you? OMG! I bet you cant either! It sucks, really. So i decided to hit the gym and learn as much as i could from people, internet and books. Also at the same time, joining my favourite sport of RUGBY drove me to achieve a better bod and physique as (contact) rugby IS indeed a hardcore sport. Pick up a sport people. It DRIVES you to be good and serve your team/school well!

2005. JJC Cougars.

Over the course of 2 years in JC, i gained 15kg. Quite an achievement for me as on the average, i’d manage to gain only 5kg per year. Of course, i didnt become fat or bubbly as i had constant workout and high level of intensity gyming back then. But still i wasnt happy with my fitness level. Being in the army and doing all the *censored* shit out there turned out to be very useful. I grew leaner with all those morning and afternoon runs and route marches. And the constant chin-up regime before meals (even as i became a commander), propelled my physique and strength to greater heights.

2008. Post-NS days.

And as my level of fitness grew, my confidence grew too. I could wear more variety of clothing without making it look like i had an oversized jumper on me. And yes, my post NS days – when 25 chin ups were no problem and my 2.4km runs were 9min.

Fast forward to this time round, i am happy…er with what i have accomplished thus far. Participating in sports/activities ranging from  soccer to rock climbing to camp facilitating to kettlebell-ing and etc, it gave me more confidence knowing i could achieve MORE as i play the sport. I could run faster, kick harder, climb higher and lift heavier weights.

As of this current moment, the year 2012 will be a life changing year for me as i set out to achieve MORE accomplishments for myself (picking up Muay Thai & BJJ at Evolve MMA, getting my swimming fins back to work, just to name a few sports). It will be mentally draining. It will be physically tougher. It will be spiritually demanding.

End 2011. Successfully completed my personal best of 35 chin ups in one set. I plan to hit 45 by the end of 2012.

BUT hey! Playing sports and keeping fit is kinda like a drug. It makes me happy and boosts one’s confidence. And best of all, it keeps me in the company of fitness enthusiasts. Rather than wasting time sitting under the void deck, drinking, rioting, making a nuisance, might as well, i keep myself healthy and fit. I think that one great group of people whom you can train with FOR FREE (no hidden costs) is with SG TITANS. Who are they? Stay tuned to find out more. Or you can just click the SG Titans page above on my header.

And thats WHY I TRAIN.

17 years of determination and hard work. More to go.

January 2012 - Trail run cum hike from Dairy Farm Bukit Timah Hill to Kampung Chantek.

Till next time, Guten tag and lets build some hurtin’ bombs!

10 Reasons to Start Running

People start running for a variety of reasons. Some run because they want to lose weight, improve their health, compete in races or try something new. Whatever your reason is for running, you’ll experience many physical, mental and emotional benefits from the sport. Here are 10 great reasons to get started with running:

1. Running improves your health

One of the biggest benefits of running is that it’s good for your health. Running is an excellent way to strengthen the heart and ensure the efficient flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which helps decrease your risk of a heart attack. Exercise, combined with maintaining a healthy weight, is one of the best ways to naturally reduce your blood pressure if it’s above normal. If you have high cholesterol, running can also help keep it in check. Running also improves your immune system, so your body functions are more effective and efficient at fighting off germs. Running and other weight-bearing exercises increase bone density, which can fend off osteoporosis.        

2. You can lose weight
Many people start running to lose some extra pounds. As one of the most vigorous exercises out there, running is an extremely efficient way to burn calories and lose weight. If you’re already at a healthy weight, running can help you maintain it. Just make sure you don’t think running gives you a license to eat anything you want. The basic rule of weight loss — that you must burn (through life functions and exercise) more calories than you take in — still applies to runners.

3. You can run for a cause
Running can also be used as a way to contribute to society as a whole. Many races benefit charities, and some charities offer race training in exchange for fund-raising. Running for something that’s bigger than you is a great way to stay motivated to keep training and can make your races even more meaningful and fulfilling.      

4. You can meet new people through running
Some runners enjoy the quiet and solitude of running on their own, but other runners see running time as social opportunities. Finding a running buddy or running with a group is a great way to develop a sense of community. You can set goals and accomplish them together. In addition, having a regular running buddy or running group is a great way to stay motivated to run.
Some runners also share advice and motivation with other runners in online forums, such as sgrunners.com. You can meet other people who share your obsession with running, celebrate your triumphs and help you overcome your obstacles.

5. You can experience something new and different
Running is a great way to expand your horizons and break away from the daily grind. The sport gives people the opportunity to explore areas of their own community or new locations, experience new physical sensations and run places they may not normally see.

6. You can train for a specific goal

Some people hate to exercise just for the sake of exercising, but with running, though, you can train for races, from 5Ks to marathons and beyond. Training for a race gives you a specific goal to work toward, which can definitely help improve your motivation to run.

7. Running improves your energy levels

When you’re feeling sluggish or tired, running is a great way to boost your energy. Runners who run in the morning report that they have improved energy levels during the day. Combining running with a healthful diet will help improve your energy levels even more.

8. Running will help you feel good about yourself

Regular runners report an increase in their confidence and self-esteem, and the self-esteem benefits of running are increased if you set a specific goal, such as running a marathon, and accomplish it.

9. Running is versatile and inexpensive

Running requires very little equipment, and it can be done almost anywhere. All you need is a good pair of running shoes, and you can head out your door to go for a run. From city sidewalks to wooded trails, there are plenty of places for runners to explore — at no cost. If you travel a lot, it’s easy to pack your running shoes and run while you’re on the road.

10. Running can help with stress relief

Running — as with many forms of exercise — is a great cure for stress, emotional strain and even mild depression. Research has shown that healthy adults who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who don’t.

Photo courtesy of SameerPictures.com  

WHY DO YOU RUN?
(courtesy of 1 Arm Runner. Check out his site at HERE!)

New Year, New Challenge, New Me: Muay Thai @ Evolve MMA

Its 2012 and to kick start the new year, i gave myself a new challenge – to learn Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Or at least to learn and be conditioned with the basic moves. But my experience about the latter will be for another day.

So where else better than to train at Evolve MMA – Asia’s Top Martial Arts Academy. Having the most number of world champions Muay Thai fighters-instructors in the academy, the sessions were structured and most importantly, fun to be in. I’ll go on into further details the next time round.

Personally, i had always liked Muay Thai as a form of self-defense. I was inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s The Quest, a 1996 movie about martial arts particularly Muay Thai.  The “Art of Eight Limbs” as it is also known, Muay Thai uses the fists, elbows, knees and shins to strike an opponent.

But that being said, i’m a lover and not a fighter. Those who have followed this blog would know that I just love changing my fitness routine as well as experimenting with different sports because different sports would require different level of fitness. Being able to run 21km doesnt necessarily mean you would have the stamina to last a Muay Thai “fight” or even a soccer game for that matter. And my quest to be a wholesome athlete has got to encompass a variety of trainings and workouts.

I have kicked start my training over at Evolve MMA Academy last week and i must say, I’m addicted to the training. I’m so stoked to go for the next lesson! Call me crazy but I went for my 2nd Muay Thai class the day after my first! I especially love it because i CANNOT sustain a non-stop 3-min skipping portion (as part of the warm up) and i CANNOT execute a proper kick. It doesnt really help when you see younger guys, kicking the bag with a super loud “KE-PAAK! KE-PAAK!” sound. Motivates me to train harder and perform better at the next session. I cant lose to a kid can i? >.<”

With a combination of self-defense and fitness, Muay Thai is certainly one of the best ways to get lean and get a great functional physique too! #JustSaying

Stay tuned for updates on my Quest to better my fitness and YES, you should join me too in bettering yours! I dont have much pictures because obviously i cant take photos while training. But i’ll work things out soon. That being said, i’m heading for another class later today, Thursday. Can’t wait!

Man…i just love the adrenaline rush, the sweat and the feeling of satisfaction knowing you just went through 1 hour of circuit training and coming out alive.

Oh. you can also follow my updates and other fitness or sports progress/updates on Twitter: @whywerunn OR Evolve MMA’s own Twitter account @EvolveMMA.

Till next time, Kap kun khap! 

What Are the 5 Levels of Breath?

(Exclusive article as shared by one of our Personal Trainer friend - Mr Herman Chauw)

There are many ways to breathe. Some better some worse. Some good some bad. Some safe some dangerous. In this article we’ll introduce some of the common types and arrange them in order.

We’ll also answer once and for all the question of “How to breathe during (weight training) exercises?”

Why is this so important? Breathing properly during your exercises can make or break you. It is one of the components of proper technique (remember the 7 Key Components of Structure). Done properly, your breath can maximize your performance. Done improperly your breath can kill you.

The 5 levels of breath are summarized in the Breath Mastery Scale (adapted from Prasara Yoga by Scott Sonnon):

1) Fear Level Breath: passively (reflexively) inhale and brace on perceived effort

2) Anger or Force Level Breath: actively inhale and brace on perceived effort

3) Discipline Level Breath: actively exhale on perceived effort/discomfort; passively inhale on cessation of effort/discomfort

4) Flow Level Breath: passively exhale on compression; passively inhale on expansion

5) Mastery Level Breath: control pause after exhalation on activity

For all intents and purposes, i’ll only cover what is important to you, ie the layman, and not give exhaustive explanation of the hows and whys.

The breathing techniques #2 are not to be used at any exercise. The reason being the breath holding would increase your blood pressure. And if the pressure increases to very high, it can cause stroke or heart attacks. It can be argued that for maximal efforts such as powerlifting you need to hold your breath, but remember that we are a health first fitness system. Performance at the expense of health is not real health.

As an aside, even when you encounter fear or anger, you should not inhale and brace either. As prolonged exposure to this type of breathing would increase your overall muscle tension (read upper thoracic breathing, tight upper traps, forward head posture etc.), which would lead to poorer health and performance. You should instead exhale and do some exercises to release the tension (ala RESET).

Discipline Level Breath (#3) is the one that you should employ in most of your strength & conditioning exercises. The exhalation causes activation of the core muscles that serves to stabilize the body and in that manner you tie the body into one unit to create linkage for force transfer from limb to limb or one part of the body to another.

Flow Level Breath (#4) is the one you should employ when the effort level is low enough that you do not need the exhale to create sufficient stiffness in your core. An example of this is during joint mobility exercises in Intu-Flow. Another example would be in endurance efforts where energy conservation is a primary concern, like marathon running.

Your breath would evolve from Discipline to Flow as you get better in a particular exercise. The evolution fromDiscipline to Flow cannot be forced. It happens subconsciously as your nervous system gets more efficient in a particular skill. As you make the exercise more difficult through increased resistance, volume, sophistication etc, you may need to go down to Discipline again, going back and forth as needed.

Sounds complicated? If you can’t remember anything, just remember these:

1) Exhale on effort

2) Exhale on compression

3) Exhale on impact/contact (with the floor, punching bag, your opponent etc.)

~~~

Additional notes from editor: While most of you reading this are probably runners or newbie runners, this article serves 2 purposes -

1) Knowing how and when to breathe while running is crucial. It allows your body to function more efficiently as you run. That is to say, to give your body the most efficient amount of oxygen intake at ever step you take. Afterall, running shouldnt be a chore for your body nor should it stresses your body out to the extent of you panting heavily and feeling like passing out at the finish line.

I know cause i’ve been in that state before and it wasnt good. Panting heavily just indicates that your body needs more oxygen to be circulated in its system. Had i took note and breathe properly during my runs back then, i would not be suffering from such post-running heavy panting. And no, thats not me in the picture. Duhh?

2) Most runners that i know of personally, would hit the gym to train. Train what? Train their legs, run on treadmills etc. That’s fine cause im guessing that you all know your stuff well. But the other half of you might not even train in the gym at all. You know, good solid runs are backed with good strong core muscles as well as leg muscles. Well, if you plan on hitting the gym (after inspired by this), its time to take note on how to breathe right while carrying out your weighted exercises.

And no thats not me either. I’m not that hardcore, really. Not yet.

Till then, Guten tag!

Tips to avoid the Santa suit – Your guide to looking fabulous this Christmas (PART 2)

Well, here’s part 2 on how to look fab this Christmas. The first tip shared a few days back reminded us to LEAD AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE. If you had not been running or working out over these past few days, its important to get your body “warmed up” and ready for take on this next TIP to look fabulous and feel great. Thus, its important to keep that metabolism high and lead an active lifestyle nonetheless.

So here i am dishing out some simple tips (broken into 3 parts over the days) to get you back into shape AND AVOID THE SANTA SUIT and look good for NYE! Simple tips for the simple man i would say.

TIP #2 – WORK THAT UP, DUDE or MISSY

Yeah, you got me right there – stop thinking too much and start working out. Its never too late to hit the gym OR go for your yoga class OR for some light runs OR even pick up a fight-disciplined class like Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Reason being going for such activity not only increases your metabolism but it sets the momentum for 2012 too. But best of all, it ends your procrastination for “I think i’ll train tmr after work” and other such nonsense. Go ALL IN and JUST DO IT.

In fact, whats even better is to grab somebody sexy and tell them “Hey, lets hit the gym tonight.”. Nothing sounds better than having someone to motivate and perhaps inspire you to build a better you. Furthermore, having a friend around with you, it  makes working out fun. And not mindless mundane “torture” as some would see it. But ultimately, going for all these fitness, please do your PAR-Q. (Which stands for Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire). Fitness is important, but so is safety. 

Till then, have a Happy Christmas and A Merry New Year…in advance!

The Bukit Timah Hill Trail Run

Date: 7th November 2011                                                                                                     Time: 0930H-1030H                                                                                                               Venue: Bukit Timah Hill Nature Reserve                                                                               Mission: Conquer the Summit (at 163m, its the highest natural point in Singapore), nature’s way                                                                                                                           Gear: Adidas ClimaCool Shorts and NewBalance Minimus Trail Running shoes.

To be honest, its been months since i last planned to do some running/trekking at Bukit Timah Hill. Besides the standard procrastination (who doesnt have?) and the usual school work-projects that was bugging me most of my days, its been quite hard for me to get someone who is enthusiastic and motivated enough to train with me. So when by some strange circumstances on FB, my friend asked me out for a “trek” at Bukit Timah Hill, and with exams over and my 2 months of holidays is here, i totally said – HELL YEAH!

Since my last visit to Bukit Timah Hill was YEARS ago, one cannot act Mr-Know-It-All or Gey-Kiang (as the Chinese would call it) and so i merely followed closely behind my friend (in red, below) on the trail that he decided to take us on. Yes, i made 2 more great friends that day. Well, we were there cause our female friend was prepping up for Everest trip with her school. Exciting much huh! Daym jealous. Anyways, i managed to take a photograph of the rocky formation which we had to CLIMB to get on the top portion of the trail before continuing our “trek”. IT WAS EXCITING. Hahaha!

At that point onwards, i cant stand just merely trekking along the trail so i started running. Running past the groups of family, running on the muddy portion of the trail, jumping over fallen logs, running and side stepping past trees and at times pouncing on boulders along the way. IT WAS SUPER FUN! Felt so free, so cool “excuse me-ing” here and there past all the slow people.

Nothing fallen, is too Big to overcome.

The hardest part of the trail route was the flight of steps – all 200 of them. At one shot! And to make matters worst, the steps werent equal in height or length. So my legs were continuously pounding the steps till i felt the “burn”. Out of breath and uber shagged from the 30min run + steps climb, i just had to rest at the hut at the end of the flight of steps. Best part – its not over yet. Theres still a little more distance and a few flights of steps to go before i reach the summit.
At the summit, there were so many people flocking around. Some with their families others were simply taking a leisure stroll and enjoying nature. Reminded me of my childhood days when my parents used to bring me over to BTH for a family outing, enjoying nature. *sigh* Those were the days. Felt great accomplishing the 200 flights of steps, really. Thats why its always easy to give up when times are hard but the rewards of completing the challenge is DAMN WORTH IT. You’ll never know you could until you do it.

Overall, the trek cum trail running was a great training for me, prelude to Nike’s WE RUN KL happening on the 27th of November and my Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore’s 21km happening on the 4th of December. Looking forward to having more of such fun times over at Bukit Timah Hill. It really showed me how weak i was and was certainly an eye-opener to my deteriorated fitness. I guess, this give me motivation to run more and more!

Anyways, for more info about Bukit Timah Hill Nature Reserve and their opening hours: CLICK HERE!

 Also, do check out our GIVE.SG page (click on the icon below) - We’re raising funds for Mercy Relief – reaching out to help those less fortunate than us. Mercy Relief provides water & sanitation, shelter, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare and education. to the less fortunate and needy regardless of country, culture or creed. Giving them an opportunity to better their life and perhaps be as healthy and fit as you too.

 Till next time, Guten Tag!

Running as an exercise.

I just have to post this up again.

Running, i believe has been mankind’s earliest form of exercise since the god-forsaken days of the cavemen. Imagine being chased by a saber-tooth tiger or chasing after a woolly mammoth, you certainly need to have good strong legs to carry and propel yourself to safety or for survival. Well, in a case of the former, being faster than your friend would be sufficient. Fast track to the 21st century, people run. They still do. We run to keep ourselves physically fit, to lose weight, to challenge ourselves, to take part in those races/runs and get that finisher’s medal and many more reasons. Some people get that surge of euphoria or endorphins in them when they run. Running releases that “happy drug” in them and they would just zone out during their runs. For me personally, i only get it after i cross that 10-15min mark. And especially great if my stride and breathing are in sync. A scenic running route helps too!

With so many races and runs coming up (check out : Why We Run 2011 Running Calender), its best advised that we train up for them. With the sudden surge of running enthusiast/newbies (like me) in Singapore, its important for them to know the advantages and disadvantages of running indoors and outdoors for your runs.

Advantages of running outdoors: 1 word – its cheap. Heck, it could even be free if you just run somewhere around your neighbourhood. But do remember to invest in a pair of good running shoes to minimize the risk of injuries. Also, running burns more calories than walking (duhh?) if you hadn’t known about it. Great for people who wants to keep in shape or for those who want to achieve that single-digit percentage body fat.Yes, im trying to achieve that. While reading up on articles about running, here’s an interesting finding, from Cambridge University that claims running helps improve your memory and help your brain grow too. No wonder i’ve been a little forgetful nowadays. Wow! Rest assured, i doubt that your head will suddenly become as huge as Megamind’s just because you run a lot.

Run and be like me. Seriously.

Disadvantages of running outdoors:

1 word too – the weather. ok, so that’s 2. But oh heck it. Running outdoor is totally dependent on the weather. Although it would be nice to run in the rain and all, but you might catch a cold, fall sick and there goes your week of “healthy exercise living”. Last thing you want to happen while running is to be strike by lightning or some sort. If you’re running outdoor and it happens to rain suddenly, please TAKE COVER! Live today to run another day.

Also, running under the scorching heat isnt a pretty good idea unless you intend to take up some hardcore Adventure Race across the Gobi Desert, then yeah, that’ll be good. But if you’re new and an avid/casual runner, running in the early morning and late afternoon/night would be good. Just dont forget to slap on some SPF 45 Sunblock when running in the morning ya…

Because running itself exerts force on your knees and joints, it is important for one to take note of his own individual capability and pace and not subject the poor knee to any more unnecessary pressure. And oh, sports bra are called SPORTS bra for a reason. They support a woman’s asset from bouncing too much which could result in sagging. And yeah, prolly give them a “better and comfortable hold” too while running.

Do remember to watch out for traffic too!

Advantages of running on a treadmill:

Rain or shine, you can run in the comfort of your home/gym. Customization of the run can also be controlled by the the runner and generally, the treadmill has consistent and better traction as compared to outdoors. The drain covers, curbs, puddle of water etc, are pretty much a hazard if you are not alert enough.

Treadmills nowadays allow you to adjust the level of difficult too. Speed, Inclination and whatnots are pretty useful to train for your upcoming runs. And if your gym or home has a treadmill that is located directly in front of the TV and HEY PRESTO! You can catch your favourite episode of How I Met Your Mother without having to stream them off the internet for re-runs. Side track a bit, HIMYM Season 2 Episode 15 is awesome. Its about the Boston Marathon and how Barney Stinson trains for it (click HERE for link).

What up.

Disadvantages of running on a treadmill:

Let’s be honest here. Scrolling through your friend’s holiday trip in Phuket and checking out the sights (and sounds) from the FB album is NEVER the same as heading down to Phuket and experiencing the culture there. Ok, bad analogy here you might say. But i know you get what im trying to put across. At the end of the day, as much combination and customization of setting on the treadmill that you have made, its never the same as running outdoors. Where the scenes and environment changes around you as you run. If you’re bored, you could always try a different route and best part, you can run with a whole group of friends without having to worry about whether there are sufficient treadmills.

Next up is the cost of a treadmill. Simply put, with that amount spent on a treadmill, i’d rather use that money and go for a run overseas or take part in races and go for fitness courses or even get myself new sporting gears! And unless you have a whole extra room to cater to your workout needs, then i get it. Treadmills aren’t small in size or comes in a round shape where you run like a hamster.

Well, unless of course…

~

All in all, whats important here is that you should as much, try and go for a run once a week. If not, a jog would be great too. Take care of our body (fitness) and health, and it’ll take care of you. Like i mentioned in one of my earlier posts:

“Never neglect fitness, never neglect health i would say. Those are prolly 2 of the most important things in our lives that many people tend to take a (lots of) break from and it just wont work out good for you in the long run. Nothing personal but its just that nothing gives me more satisfaction than knowing that im in the pink of health…and that im at my peak performance. Ready anytime, anywhere. “

 

Then again – different people, different ideals. 

What’s yours?